Kaantha stars Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse in a period thriller set in 1950s Madras. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the film looks at the broken relationship between a famous director and the star he created. Released on November 14, 2025, it runs for 2 hours and 43 minutes.
The movie was produced by Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan under Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films. Though many assumed it followed M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar’s life, the makers confirmed it’s fiction. The crew includes cinematographer Dani Sanchez-Lopez and music composers Jakes Bejoy and Jhanu Chanthar.
The Plot Unfolds
Ayya, a skilled director, transforms T.K. Mahadevan into superstar Nata Chakravarthy. When they meet again for Ayya’s dream film Shaantha, Mahadevan’s ego causes trouble. He renames it Kaantha and tries controlling the production.
The new actress Raja Kumari listens only to Ayya, making things tense. Daily conflicts build until someone dies during the climax shoot. The first half shows their ego war, while the second becomes a murder investigation.
Powerful Acting on Display
Dulquer Salmaan delivers his career-best work here. The mirror breakdown scene alone proves his range as an actor. He shifts between emotions naturally, making T.K. Mahadevan feel real rather than performed. Some reviews mentioned possible National Award consideration for this role.
Samuthirakani makes Ayya more than just opposition. He shows a creator upset about fame destroying art itself. His restrained performance matches well against Dulquer’s energy. Their scenes together form the film’s backbone.
Bhagyashri Borse handles Raja Kumari’s complex position beautifully. Caught between her mentor and her feelings, she expresses depth through subtle reactions. Rana Daggubati adds lighter touches as the investigating officer, though his part stays limited.
What Grabs Your Attention
Dani Sanchez-Lopez’s camera work, especially the black-and-white portions, recreates 1950s cinema authentically. The period details in sets, clothes, and makeup never feel forced or showy. Everything looks natural to that era.
Specific scenes stay with you after watching. Dulquer smashing the mirror, Samuthirakani’s emotional moment, and Bhagyashri’s reactions create genuine impact. Director Selvamani Selvaraj connects both halves smoothly without jarring shifts. The first half maintains strong tension through well-crafted writing.
Jakes Bejoy’s music stays in the background, supporting rather than overpowering scenes. Songs include Panimalare, Kanmani Nee, and Rage Of Kaantha, but they don’t leave much impression. The film deserves credit for trying something fresh with its genre mix.
Issues That Drag It Down
The second half loses steam considerably. After building good momentum, the investigation portion slows things down too much. Similar conflicts repeat in different forms, making scenes feel familiar. The nearly three-hour length makes these problems stand out more.
The murder mystery needs stronger suspects or clearer reasons. Without these, staying invested becomes harder. I found myself checking the time rather than being pulled into solving the crime. Some talented actors get wasted in small, undeveloped parts.
Rana’s character tips into caricature sometimes. Songs don’t blend well into the story, and noticeable lip sync issues appear. Once patterns emerge, guessing outcomes becomes easier. The film wants patience but doesn’t always make that wait worthwhile.
Critical Response Varies
Different reviewers gave different ratings. India Today gave 2.5 out of 5, while The Times of India awarded 4 out of 5. 123telugu.com settled at 2.75 out of 5, calling it decent but limited. Great Andhra gave 2 out of 5, noting the fresh idea hurt by weak execution.
Film critic Ramesh Bala praised it highly with 4.5 stars, highlighting authentic period details and strong technical work. Most critics agreed the first half works better than the second. Everyone praised the visual and production quality.
Viewer Reactions Split
Social media shows mixed but mostly positive responses. Many praised Dulquer’s performance as award-worthy and appreciated the full cast. Some gave 4.5 out of 5, calling it emotionally engaging. Others rated it 3.25 out of 5, preferring the first half.
Viewers noted this isn’t standard commercial fare. Those enjoying slow-burn artistic films liked it more. People wanting typical entertainment found it dragging. The mirror scene and lead confrontations got repeated mentions as standout moments.
My Take on Kaantha
Kaantha tries blending period drama with psychological depth and murder mystery. The film succeeds through committed performances, particularly from Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri Borse. Technical craft in visuals and design creates believable 1950s atmosphere throughout.
But second-half pacing issues and the long runtime hurt overall impact. The murder investigation needed tighter writing to keep audiences hooked. This won’t satisfy everyone, but it offers something for viewers who appreciate character-focused stories over formula filmmaking.
Rating: 3/5
